With the campaign all over bar the shouting, now seems as good a time as any to have a look at how the pupils at Hotspur High have faired this season. Some have been a rank above. Others have just been rank. For the purposes of putting a nice little bow on the subject, we’ll rank them as ‘keep’, ‘get rid’ or ‘if the right money comes in then here’s a carriage clock, an opus and a big thanks for your efforts’.
Heurelho Gomes
Nice easy place to start, some may think. Readers of this blog will know that I’ve long been a supporter of Gomes, as highlighted HERE , but even I have had to bury my face in my hands at some of his recent antics. However, I’ll continue to represent the silent minority and say that the guy is still a quality goalkeeper (no laughing at the back… and front… and middle) BUT, that he needs a bit of mental therapy. There has always been an element of danger in watching Gomes. Sublime to ridiculous and capable of doing things only a hand full of his world peers would be able to do. Get his head right and we’ve got one of the best in the world.
Verdict: Keep
Carlo Cudicini and Stipe Pletikosa
Contracts up. If a change in our goalkeeping set-up is needed, perhaps it might just be the competition surrounding our number 1 that needs mixing up. Stipe has publicly stated that it was a mistake to come to us. Shame, because I like the idea of an elder statesman in our goalkeeping ranks, but perhaps a genuine young buck of a contender to work alongside both would be a better mix.
Verdict: Stipe off, keep Carlo, ship in a young contender to work alongside Parks, Gomes and Carlo.
Alan Hutton
The worst right back I’ve ever seen. I don’t say that lightly. I’ve seen Dean Austin AND Paul Stalteri. Never have I seen a player make 100% incorrect decisions when asking himself whether to stand off or commit himself. It’s really quite astonishing the number of times he gets it wrong.
Verdict: Bag him up and leave him outside the nearest charity shop.
Vedran Corluka
I like Charlie, really I do, but I can’t help think that the days of the plodding, solid RB are gone. There’s no escaping the fact that the best full-backs in this country and indeed Europe are able to act as secondary wingers, supporting attacks and central defenders with equal aplomb. A task sadly beyond Charlie, and with the emergence of Kyle Walker, you’d have to say his days as our first choice RB are numbered.
Verdict: Keep if he’s happy to be used as a squad player, but if he wants regular football and the right money comes in then I wish him all the best. He’d be brilliant in Serie A.
Younes Kaboul
First time around, looked like an ACTUAL raging bull, eating bullets, hanging out with bully off of bulls eye, and snorting red bull, released into a pen full of newborn kittens. This year we’ve seen what all the fuss was about when he first joined. Another years apprenticeship under Gallas and he should be a permanent fixture in our back line. Strong, tall, athletic and a rapidly developing defensive brain. Powerful.
Verdict: Keep
Sebastian Bassong
Scored at Birmingham , took part in the Gattuso/Jordan dust up and gave away the stupidest penalty you’ll ever see up at Blackpool . Inauspicious, but there was enough good stuff about him the previous season when he was getting games on a semi-regular basis to say he’s worth hanging on to.
Verdict: Keep
Ledley King
Long live the Ledley! Not sure I can add any more to the debate about whether he’d be the finest of his generation if it weren’t for the knee. That’s because there is no debate. He would have. Definitely. With tears welling up and a lump in my keyboard wire, it’s time to relinquish the squad place and put him out to stud. Let’s try and do this with the dignity and gravitas it deserves.
Verdict: Defensive coach, name a match day suite and a stand at the new stadium after him.
Jonathan Woodgate
Not to the same extent as Ledley, but time to call it a day old bean. Another heart breaker, but we have to move on and free up those squad places. We’ll always have the Carling Cup.
Verdict: Maybe Ledley could use a helping hand in his new imaginary defensive coaching job?
Michael Dawson
Mr Dependable and all credit to him that there’s not a peep of a debate about who should be wearing the armband. Player of the Year last season, and while he’s not reached the same heights, playing alongside Gallas has given him great confidence to get on with what he does best. No nonsense, unfussy and assured. Quietly excellent.
Verdict: Keeparoo
William Gallas
Best signing since… sliced bread. I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen that I was thoroughly in approval of him signing last summer, because the best players move among the best clubs. Him signing for us somehow justified that we were the real deal, and he’s been a revelation. None of the sulking or tantrum throwing that many sceptics envisioned, and he summed up the mood of the Tottenham faithful in yesterdays Evening Standard by saying that it doesn’t matter how far we got in the Champions League; not qualifying for it for a second time in an average league must be considered a failure. Keep it real Billy, and keep on trucking.
Verdict: Burn all the archive footage and wipe your memories. He’s a Yiddo.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
The best thing about Benny is that he’s awesome. Minimalist home décor, minimalist thinking. Win the ball, keep your control tight, distribute intelligently, support your winger. If it’s just a job then he’s doing a bloody good one. Alan Hansen see’s him as our weak link based on a not-so-clever away performance at Everton, but most of us know from watching him all the time that he’s an excellent footballer and a key first teamer.
Verdict: Keep, please.
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